Everyone in Tampa seems to be excited about the opening of the new Restoration Hardware at International Plaza.

And rightfully so — the new RH store is itself a work of art, a design concept that’s big, bold and absolutely beautiful.

Whereas many retailers are slimming down their brick and mortar retail footprint, RH is banking on a mind-blowing “catalog come to life” approach.

Their goal is to create an experience — one that will resonate with people beginning to redesign their homes or add to existing decor.

Restoration Hardware offers a vast selection of lighting, furniture, bath/bedroom, rugs, art and everything you need to completely custom design the interior of your Tampa area residence.

“It’s an experience that feels more like a home than a store,” CEO Gary Friedman has said of the new stores, “where customers say, I want to live here.”

Read more at Forbes.com: Would You Like Champagne with that Sofa? Restoration Hardware Bets Big on Experiential Retail

Read more at TampaBayBusinessJournal.com: See inside Tampa’s new Restoration Hardware

SO, WHAT DOES THE OPENING OF RESTORATION HARDWARE MEAN FOR YOU AS YOU DESIGN THE INTERIOR OF YOUR TAMPA HOME?

Again, the Restoration Hardware store is an experience and one that should be ‘taken in’ — especially if you’re in the market for design services, a home redesign or an interior design makeover.

And whether RH is ‘your style’ or not, just walking through the store should offer you inspiration. It will either push you toward a certain ‘look’ and reinforce what you already feel about colors, fabrics, textures and furniture — or it will push you back to a style you’re more comfortable with.

Here, you’ll be able to sit in chairs, feel the fabrics, hold accessories in your hand, etc.

Plus — you can always visit Nordstrom and Tory Burch while you’re at International Plaza…

WALK THROUGH WITH YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER…

Another benefit of the store is that it allows you to walk through with your designer. There really is no substitute for the conversations you can have with your designer as, based on what you tell them you like (and don’t care for), your designer can begin to develop a deeper understanding of what you want in your home.

Point out the lighting that you like. Show them the elements of seating that you don’t like. Take photos on your phone.

A visit to the store is like an Instagram or Pinterest feed that’s come to life. A good interior designer can quickly pick up on what your personal style is, and then based on that, begin to guide you toward other manufacturers, designers, lines and shops that would best deliver on your ideas.

They’ll also be able to give you insight on quality, what ‘works’ together and how what you see in the store might (or might not) work in your home.

WE WELCOME RESTORATION HARDWARE TO TAMPA

We’re excited the store is here in Tampa. It’s just one more recent example of how the Tampa Bay area and Florida in general is viewed by high-end retailers.

DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS FOR AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

Remember – every interior design project is as important to us as it is to you. Our customized and interior design services serve to fulfill your exact specifications.

This post was designed not to answer all of your questions, but to help guide you through the initial process of choosing a Tampa interior designer.

To contact Crespo Design Group, please reach our office at 813-837-8282 or email us here.